Despite Ruling, Voters Are Told To Provide ID

Published: October 8, 2006

Tens of thousands of Georgia voters recently received letters telling them they must show a photo ID to cast a ballot on Nov. 7, even though a judge recently struck down the requirement.

The State Board of Elections mailed more than 300,000 of the letters, about 20,000 of them after the judge issued his ruling on Sept. 19.

But Claud L. McIver, the Board of Elections vice chairman, said he did not expect voters to be confused.

''Just walk in the door,'' Mr. McIver said Friday.

For months, lawyers have been battling in state and federal court over the new ID law. Supporters, primarily Republicans, have said the law is needed to prevent voter fraud.

Opponents say it is intended to discourage voting by members of minorities, the poor and the elderly, who are less likely to have a driver's license or other photo identification.

Last month, a state judge declared the law unconstitutional because it established a voting requirement not contained in the Georgia Constitution. After that ruling, state officials said voters would be able to cast a ballot merely by presenting something like a utility bill or a Social Security card.

Mr. McIver said he let the last 20,000 letters go out because he was confronted with two different rulings: the state judge's order and a federal judge's decision to block the law but to consider reinstating it before Election Day.

Mr. McIver said the board was trying to minimize confusion by talking with county registrars and updating its Web site. The are no plans to send out additional mailings or to make public service announcements; Mr. McIver said there was not enough money in the budget to do that.

Some groups are working to counteract possible confusion. The Georgia Coalition for the People's Agenda said it planned an automated call campaign next week to the 305,000 voters who received letters.